This is a tough break for the Panthers who lose their starter for a minimum of six weeks. Theodore was 4-6-3 with a 3.29 GAA .893 SV% at the time of the injury. This will open the door for Jacob Markstrom to take over as the starter and prove to the Panthers he belongs in the NHL. Scott Clemmensen will also see his fair share of starts.
Ward was hurt in the second period of yesterday's contest vs. the Panthers when his own defenceman Justin Faulk slid into him. Ward stopped all 15 shots he faced and still recorded the win but this is terrible news for the Hurricanes. A 6-8 week injury means Ward will likely miss the rest of the season. The Hurricanes will now have to go with Dan Ellis and Justin Peters as their goaltenders.
Backstrom has won three of his last four starts while posting a great 1.76 GAA and .932 SV%. He has a good matchup tonight vs. an Oilers team without Taylor Hall. Backstrom should make for a good fantasy start tonight.
Ellis was scheduled to get the start today for the Hurricanes but Ward will be between the pipes with Ellis getting sick. Ward has won three of his last four starts with a 2.00 GAA and .931 SV%. He was on the winning end of a 6-2 win last night vs. Florida who is who they will face again tonight in the back-end of a home-and-home.
Clemmensen came in for the injured Jose Theodore yesterday and allowed six goals on 33 shots. He has struggled lately and has a tough matchup vs. a strong Carolina team. Look elsewhere.
Miller has won his last three consecutive starts with a 2.22 GAA and .933 SV%. He gets the nod again tonight vs. a Rangers team who looked much better with Rick Nash in the lineup. It isn't a good matchup for Miller especially with Vanek out.
Vanek missed yesterday's game with an upper-body injury and was expected to be ready to go today, but that is not the case. He will sit out today and should be back this week.
Zolnierczyk isn't fantasy relevant.
Ellis was scheduled to get the start today for the Hurricanes but it appears as if Ward may be between the pipes with Ellis getting sick. Ward has won three of his last four starts with a 2.00 GAA and .931 SV%. He was on the winning end of a 6-2 win last night vs. Florida who is who they will face again tonight in the back-end of a home-and-home. Check back for the starters confirmation.
Hedberg has lost five straight games with a 3.78 GAA and .853 SV%. He has struggled while filling in for Brodeur, but has a chance to get back in the win column against the Maple Leafs tomorrow.
In Luongo's last start he was lit up for eight goals by the Red Wings. He will be between the pipes tonight vs. the Flames which is a great matchup for Luongo making him a great fantasy start.
Varlamov is 6-8-2 with a 2.84 GAA and .908 SV% this season.
Lehtonen allowed five goals on 38 shots in his return after missing five games with a lower-body injury. He will be back between the pipes tonight when the Stars take on the Blues. It is a tough matchup for Lehtonen so I would look elsewhere if possible.
Tavares has 13 goals and 12 assists in 21 games this season. Looks like he will be able to play after missing practice yesterday with an illness.
Bobrovsky has only won one of his last four starts with a 2.99 GAA and .901 SV% but has a decent matchup today vs. the Avalanche.
Fleury allowed four goals on 29 shots in his last start. He has a tough matchup tomorrow against a strong offense in Tampa Bay. The Penguins can score with the best of them though so Fleury should be fine.
Tavares missed practice yesterday with an illness, but he should play today but check back before game-time to be sure.
Budaj will get the start on for the second game on a back-to-back for the Habs. Price was lit up for seven goals last night in a 7-6 overtime loss to Pittsburgh. Budaj is 2-1-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .905 SV% this season but has a terrible matchup vs. Boston.
Lehner played great in his first start this season stopping 44 of 46 shots that he faced in 2-1 overtime loss. He has a great matchup vs. the Islanders today, and should make for a great spot start.
Nabokov has lost his last two starts with a 4.06 GAA and .869 SV% but will still get the start today for the Islanders when they take on Ottawa. This isn't a bad matchup for Nabokov so he could get back on track with a win tonight.
